The Broken Boy
The Broken Boy by Patrick Cockburn is an expanded edition published by OR Books, LLC in May 2022. This 350-page memoir recounts the author’s experience of contracting polio as a child, drawing parallels between his childhood ordeal and the contemporary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cockburn reflects on his life-changing illness, which left him unable to walk, while also providing insight into his family’s background and the historical context of the Cork epidemic.
Readers will find a personal narrative that intertwines themes of survival and resilience, as well as a broader exploration of medical history and the impact of disease on society. The book delves into the author’s childhood experiences, the dynamics of his family, and the significance of the last major polio epidemic in the world. This edition offers a unique perspective on the intersection of personal memoir and historical account, making it a relevant read in light of ongoing global health discussions.
Official synopsis Publisher
In this expanded edition of a widely praised book, now available for the first time in North America, the renowned journalist Patrick Cockburn looks at his experience of contracting polio as a child in the context of a new pandemic, that of COVID-19. The parallels between what happened 65 years ago and today’s crisis are both striking and salutary.
Cockburn was just six when he woke up one day in the summer of 1956 with a headache and a sore throat. His parents, Claud and Patricia, had recently returned to Ireland, to their house in East Cork, careless of the fact that polio had broken out in Cork City. Patrick caught the disease and was taken to the fever hospital. The virus attacks the nerves of the brain and the spinal cord, leading to paralysis of the muscles. Patrick could no longer walk.
The Broken Boy is at once a memoir of Patrick Cockburn’s own experience of polio, a portrait of his parents, both prominent radicals, and the story of the Cork epidemic, the last great polio epidemic in the world.
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “The Broken Boy” about?
Who is the author of “The Broken Boy”?
When was “The Broken Boy” published?
What is the ISBN for “The Broken Boy”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
